- Location
- Somewhere
I'll go with Nox of Umbria's plan, he asked first anyways.
La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!)
- Thread starter Plausbius
- Start date
- Mature Alt. History
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Can we get an Update on how many Boni are applied to which Rolls right now?
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Multiple rolls will still not pass.
Yeah, but I mean, which Actions have how many Boni? So that we know how many can still be applied?
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
I already said I would not tell you what actions failed or passed.
And actions can only go up to +50 for a single action.
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NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
??? He is just asking how many omake points have we put here. Not asking what actions still failed or passed?
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Oh:
30 to Chamans, 15 to Reprisals, +10 to Louis, +15 to Russian Roulette, -15 to Sicilian Backlash
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
Based on what I've seen in the thread, here's the bonus tally:
Reprisals - +25 (a + 10 and a +15)
Chamans - +30 (two +15's)
Maintain Order - +10
Broken Toys (aka Louis) - +10
Russian Roulette - +15
Sicilian Backlash - -15 (this is a roll where rolling lower is better, hence the -, not the +)
Reprisals - +25 (a + 10 and a +15)
Chamans - +30 (two +15's)
Maintain Order - +10
Broken Toys (aka Louis) - +10
Russian Roulette - +15
Sicilian Backlash - -15 (this is a roll where rolling lower is better, hence the -, not the +)
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They
Here is a refresher of the plan and the DCs.
- Location
- Somewhere
You know, I'm thinking of writing an omake about an in universe future historian writing a book about this particular period.
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
I would read the shit out of that!
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
Also, here's the plan that won and the DC's of the actions from that plan:
So, given the current bonus tally, the situation looks something like this:
Reprisals: Guaranteed pass\pass if not crit fail;
Chamans: DC 15 (45 - 30 = 15)
Maintain Order: DC 25 (35 - 10 = 25)
Ball: DC 10 (no bonus)
Broken Toys: DC ??? - 10
Russian Roulette: DC ??? - 15
Absolution: DC ??? (no bonus)
Study & Read: DC ??? (no bonus)
Study & Practice: DC ??? (no bonus)
Sicilian Backlash: -15, -35 if Maintain Order does succeed
EDIT: Ninja'd by Ezord...
So, given the current bonus tally, the situation looks something like this:
Reprisals: Guaranteed pass\pass if not crit fail;
Chamans: DC 15 (45 - 30 = 15)
Maintain Order: DC 25 (35 - 10 = 25)
Ball: DC 10 (no bonus)
Broken Toys: DC ??? - 10
Russian Roulette: DC ??? - 15
Absolution: DC ??? (no bonus)
Study & Read: DC ??? (no bonus)
Study & Practice: DC ??? (no bonus)
Sicilian Backlash: -15, -35 if Maintain Order does succeed
Okay, anyone else willing to spend?
We REALLY should do it now, since @Magoose confitmed that most Rolls where belows 20.
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Not anymore, due to the bonuses you presented. save 1.
Fine, but in... 12 Hours I will not accept any more roll bonuses.
Cause holy shit Cyber came up with some damn good ideas.
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I meant the unmodified Base-Rolls, but yeah.
I think I'll write some Stuff up myself to help get more Boni...just need a good Idea...
Assaut Amphibie, Part 1 (Alexander Sturnn)
Assaut Amphibie, Part 1
With every heave of the oars, the Boats edged closer and closer towards the City of Palermo, cutting their way through the water. The sea fought them every second of it, the up and down of the waves in the storm shaking the boats and the Men inside of them, ever threatening to capsize their vessels. The Soldiers of the Army of the Orient tried their best to keep their Powder dry and their sparse breakfast inside of their stomachs.
Not everyone managed to do it.
Jean watched as one of the Soldiers in another boat leaned over the side with a green face, emptying his stomach into the water in a disgusting mess of half-digested food and bile. The sight only worsened his own queasiness, but he shook his head and kept rowing, managing to fight down his own urge to barf. The other Men in the boat, all fellow soldiers from his own company, didn't look that much better off then he felt.
"Oh yes, what an EXCELLENT Idea of our glorious Leaders to assault a City by sea during a Storm!", grumbled Philippe, who sat next to him, into his unkempt beard. "True Genius is clearly at work here!"
"I didn't sign up for this!", came the high-pitched Voice of Alphonse, as he tried to wipe his cheap glasses dry...an exercise in futility, considering the rain. "I wanted to fight the Enemies of France for the Revolution, not to empty my stomach into the sea before we drown in a storm!"
"Oh quit your whining", came the gruff Voice of Caporal Alexandre. The grizzled Veteran, who had fought in the American War for Independence, just stoically pulled his own oar through the sea. He turned his scarred face towards them. "War isn't some glorious Adventure. More often then not, it's ugly and makes you want to vomit. So suck it up! The worst is yet to come, anyway. Once the damn Sicilians spot us, we'll have to worry about Cannonballs more then the waves."
Most of the Soldiers muttered in agreement. Alphonse, not wanting to be singled out as a whiny coward, bit his lip and kept rowing.
Jean looked at the boy in sympathy. Alphonse was a few years younger then most of them. The son of a Teacher, he had recently signed up for the Army, inspired by patriotic fervor and burning Idealism for the Revolution. He had imagined Life in the Army as a glorious fight for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood. Now, he struggled to cope with the harsh reality of War.
Jean shook his head. He genuinely hoped that Alphonse would yet find his footing. He liked the young man, despite his frequent whining. Perhaps because he saw a bit of himself in him. His own father, a former soldier, had often told him Stories about his time in the army when he was drunk. He had presented it as a thrilling Adventure, full of possibilities and Glory. When the young Republic had called to arms, he had enthusiastically signed up together with Philippe and a few other young boys from his Village, driven by dreams of Glory and Fame.
The sight of a Cannonball ripping the head of one of their Friends clean off at Valmy had been one hell of a wake-up call.
Still, he and Philippe had eventually found their footing in the Army and among their Comrades. Their lives as Soldiers were neither glorious nor easy, but they had found friends, got paid and fed (most of the time anyway) and had managed to stay alive so far.
That was better then quite a few others had it.
"Look, I'm just saying", continued Philippe, "would it REALLY have been so hard for us to wait a day or two for better weather? Because the way I see it, if we haven't drowned before we get ashore, our Powder will be too damn wet to fire a single shot!"
"Yeah, well, then we'll just fix Bayonets and stick the Fuckers with the pointy end!", rebutted Alexandre gruffly. "That should be enough for the Pasta-Muchers. Have some damn faith in your own Skills, will you? And some faith in our Generals decisions, for that matter. Auclair hasn't gotten us killed so far, now has she?"
"Not for lack of trying...", grumbled Philippe, but he evidently took the Caporal's words to heart, for he kept rowing in silence after that.
Jean meanwhile looked out to sea, towards one of the boats near the front of the Formation. He could distantly make out the figure of Generals Therese Auclair, standing in one of the boats and keeping her eyes fixated on the City, which was drawing ever closer. She seemed wholly unaffected by any sea-sickness...though maybe she was just really good at putting up an act to inspire her troops.
Not that it mattered. It was true what Alexandre said, Jean reflected: Auclair hadn't gotten them killed so far. In fact, if anything, she had saved his and Phillipe's lives. Had she and her Brother not taken command at Valmy and turned the tide, they probably would've died under the hooves and sabres of Prussian Cavalry, or shot to pieces by their Muskets.
And while she had pulled some risky maneuvers in the past, she had lead them to Victory time and again.
Some of the Soldiers newly assigned to their Army had often asked how it felt to be lead by a Woman. But as far as Jean and most of his Comrades where concerned, Auclair had proven that she could lead them to Victory AND keep them alive. As long as that was true, he personally couldn't care less if she had stuff dangling between her legs or not.
Alphonse looked over his shoulder at the City and gulped. "I think we'll be in range of their Cannons soon", he said with a twinge of fear in his voice.
Alexandre nodded. "The Boy's right, I think. Let's just hope that they haven't spotted us yet and-"
Whatever the Caporal wanted to say, it was drowned out in a thundering sound rolling across the sea as plumes of Smoke rose up in the distance near the Harbor. Seconds later, Fountains of Water erupted into the air, spraying Salt Water over the Soldiers in their boats.
Alexandre shrugged. "Well, so much for that. Row faster, Lads! The sooner we are ashore, the sooner we'll be out of the Cannonfire!"
Jean immediately picked up the pace, his Comrades following suit. The other boats followed their example, speeding as fast as they could towards the harbor. The Sicilian Cannons continued to fire, more and more Fountains erupting high into the Sky...but none of them came too close to any of the boats, even as they came closer and closer to the city.
Philippe laughed. "Wow...either they have some really bad Cannons, or those Sicilians can't aim to save their fucking lives!"
"All the better", said another Soldier in the boat. "That just means we'll really kick their asses once we make it ashore! And then all the Plunder in the City will be ours!"
"W-well, unless General Kleber's men get over the Walls first", Alphonse chimed in nervously.
"Hell no!", growled the Soldier next to him. "I did not void my Stomach into the fucking sea so these Guys can get all the finest loot!"
"Well then, let's make sure they don't!", Alexandre said with a grin. "Row faster, Boys!"
And with that, the Boat sped faster and faster towards the Harbor alongside the other vessels, even as the Thunder of the Sicilian Cannons intensified to meet them.
A.N.: There. Hope you like it. Part 2 will be up later today.
With every heave of the oars, the Boats edged closer and closer towards the City of Palermo, cutting their way through the water. The sea fought them every second of it, the up and down of the waves in the storm shaking the boats and the Men inside of them, ever threatening to capsize their vessels. The Soldiers of the Army of the Orient tried their best to keep their Powder dry and their sparse breakfast inside of their stomachs.
Not everyone managed to do it.
Jean watched as one of the Soldiers in another boat leaned over the side with a green face, emptying his stomach into the water in a disgusting mess of half-digested food and bile. The sight only worsened his own queasiness, but he shook his head and kept rowing, managing to fight down his own urge to barf. The other Men in the boat, all fellow soldiers from his own company, didn't look that much better off then he felt.
"Oh yes, what an EXCELLENT Idea of our glorious Leaders to assault a City by sea during a Storm!", grumbled Philippe, who sat next to him, into his unkempt beard. "True Genius is clearly at work here!"
"I didn't sign up for this!", came the high-pitched Voice of Alphonse, as he tried to wipe his cheap glasses dry...an exercise in futility, considering the rain. "I wanted to fight the Enemies of France for the Revolution, not to empty my stomach into the sea before we drown in a storm!"
"Oh quit your whining", came the gruff Voice of Caporal Alexandre. The grizzled Veteran, who had fought in the American War for Independence, just stoically pulled his own oar through the sea. He turned his scarred face towards them. "War isn't some glorious Adventure. More often then not, it's ugly and makes you want to vomit. So suck it up! The worst is yet to come, anyway. Once the damn Sicilians spot us, we'll have to worry about Cannonballs more then the waves."
Most of the Soldiers muttered in agreement. Alphonse, not wanting to be singled out as a whiny coward, bit his lip and kept rowing.
Jean looked at the boy in sympathy. Alphonse was a few years younger then most of them. The son of a Teacher, he had recently signed up for the Army, inspired by patriotic fervor and burning Idealism for the Revolution. He had imagined Life in the Army as a glorious fight for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood. Now, he struggled to cope with the harsh reality of War.
Jean shook his head. He genuinely hoped that Alphonse would yet find his footing. He liked the young man, despite his frequent whining. Perhaps because he saw a bit of himself in him. His own father, a former soldier, had often told him Stories about his time in the army when he was drunk. He had presented it as a thrilling Adventure, full of possibilities and Glory. When the young Republic had called to arms, he had enthusiastically signed up together with Philippe and a few other young boys from his Village, driven by dreams of Glory and Fame.
The sight of a Cannonball ripping the head of one of their Friends clean off at Valmy had been one hell of a wake-up call.
Still, he and Philippe had eventually found their footing in the Army and among their Comrades. Their lives as Soldiers were neither glorious nor easy, but they had found friends, got paid and fed (most of the time anyway) and had managed to stay alive so far.
That was better then quite a few others had it.
"Look, I'm just saying", continued Philippe, "would it REALLY have been so hard for us to wait a day or two for better weather? Because the way I see it, if we haven't drowned before we get ashore, our Powder will be too damn wet to fire a single shot!"
"Yeah, well, then we'll just fix Bayonets and stick the Fuckers with the pointy end!", rebutted Alexandre gruffly. "That should be enough for the Pasta-Muchers. Have some damn faith in your own Skills, will you? And some faith in our Generals decisions, for that matter. Auclair hasn't gotten us killed so far, now has she?"
"Not for lack of trying...", grumbled Philippe, but he evidently took the Caporal's words to heart, for he kept rowing in silence after that.
Jean meanwhile looked out to sea, towards one of the boats near the front of the Formation. He could distantly make out the figure of Generals Therese Auclair, standing in one of the boats and keeping her eyes fixated on the City, which was drawing ever closer. She seemed wholly unaffected by any sea-sickness...though maybe she was just really good at putting up an act to inspire her troops.
Not that it mattered. It was true what Alexandre said, Jean reflected: Auclair hadn't gotten them killed so far. In fact, if anything, she had saved his and Phillipe's lives. Had she and her Brother not taken command at Valmy and turned the tide, they probably would've died under the hooves and sabres of Prussian Cavalry, or shot to pieces by their Muskets.
And while she had pulled some risky maneuvers in the past, she had lead them to Victory time and again.
Some of the Soldiers newly assigned to their Army had often asked how it felt to be lead by a Woman. But as far as Jean and most of his Comrades where concerned, Auclair had proven that she could lead them to Victory AND keep them alive. As long as that was true, he personally couldn't care less if she had stuff dangling between her legs or not.
Alphonse looked over his shoulder at the City and gulped. "I think we'll be in range of their Cannons soon", he said with a twinge of fear in his voice.
Alexandre nodded. "The Boy's right, I think. Let's just hope that they haven't spotted us yet and-"
Whatever the Caporal wanted to say, it was drowned out in a thundering sound rolling across the sea as plumes of Smoke rose up in the distance near the Harbor. Seconds later, Fountains of Water erupted into the air, spraying Salt Water over the Soldiers in their boats.
Alexandre shrugged. "Well, so much for that. Row faster, Lads! The sooner we are ashore, the sooner we'll be out of the Cannonfire!"
Jean immediately picked up the pace, his Comrades following suit. The other boats followed their example, speeding as fast as they could towards the harbor. The Sicilian Cannons continued to fire, more and more Fountains erupting high into the Sky...but none of them came too close to any of the boats, even as they came closer and closer to the city.
Philippe laughed. "Wow...either they have some really bad Cannons, or those Sicilians can't aim to save their fucking lives!"
"All the better", said another Soldier in the boat. "That just means we'll really kick their asses once we make it ashore! And then all the Plunder in the City will be ours!"
"W-well, unless General Kleber's men get over the Walls first", Alphonse chimed in nervously.
"Hell no!", growled the Soldier next to him. "I did not void my Stomach into the fucking sea so these Guys can get all the finest loot!"
"Well then, let's make sure they don't!", Alexandre said with a grin. "Row faster, Boys!"
And with that, the Boat sped faster and faster towards the Harbor alongside the other vessels, even as the Thunder of the Sicilian Cannons intensified to meet them.
A.N.: There. Hope you like it. Part 2 will be up later today.
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
+10 to the rolls sir!
NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I'm thinking we should make sure Chamans passes without problem and then go for the mantain order action. If we have points by then, the pope could use some bonuses... or maybe the ball.
Assaut Amphibie, Part 2 (Alexander Sturnn)
Assaut Amphibie, Part 2
Alphonse slowly breathed in...and out. He tried his hardest to not show his fear as the boat drew closer and closer to the Harbor, through the withering Hail of Cannonfire.
Oh, how he wished now that he had listened to his dear Mother when she told him to not sign up for the Army...but he couldn't help himself back then. The brave Soldiers of his Country were fighting to defend the Republic and it's Ideals against the evil aristocratic Invaders. How could he not help to uphold the Torch of Freedom and Enlightenment? And so, he had gone to the nearest Recruiting-Office and signed up.
He should've stayed at home...should've helped his father to run and, one day, take over the School once his Studies were complete and he had become a Teacher himself.
But no, he just HAD to follow his naive idealism...and now he found himself in this cold, clammy weather, sailing inside a small boat over the stormy sea as Cannonballs ripped through the water.
He took a deep breath. He couldn't succumb to his fear now, no matter how much he wanted to piss his pants. If his Comrades didn't show their fears, then he couldn't either. They already made fun of him for his educated manner of talking and his cheap glasses. He didn't want to be labeled a coward too.
And besides...he didn't want to let them down either.
His eyes wandered over to Philippe and Jean. While they had teased him often, they had done their best to help him try and settle into Army-Life and he was grateful for that. Hell, in some way, he considered them his friends by now. And no matter how piss-scared he was, he would not leave them alone.
The boat rapidly approached the Pier now, as well as the others. Some of them, under the personal Leadership of General Auclair, had split off to take the Picket, but they would aid Dumas in taking the harbor.
Caporal Alexandre straightened himself. "Alright Lads, fix Bayonets! Give one shot at the first Pasta-Mucher you see and then stab the Fuckers! We have to take the Harbor no matter the cost! Stick together and do your part!"
The Soldiers nodded, let go of the Oars and grabbed their Weapons. Alphonse fumbled a bit, but managed to fix his Bayonet to the Barrel of his Musket. He tightly gripped the Rifle and closed his eyes.
God, he prayed quietly, give me the strength and courage I need and have Mercy on me so that I may survive this!
The boat, at last, reached the Pier.
"NOW, LADS! UP AND AT THEM!!", shouted Alexandre, as he stood up first. "VIVE LA FRANCE! VIVE LA REVOLUTION!!!"
With that, he jumped onto the Pier, Alphonse and the others following the Veteran as his Battlecry was taken up by many of their Comrades. The Soldiers of the Army of the Orient jumped out of their boats and rushed over the Pier, ready to take the Harbor of Palermo.
The Sicilian Soldiers scrambled to meet them, rushing out of the streets and charging at their foes. Completely surprised by the French attack, their Enemies had no time to take up formation. Even worse, their Powder had evidently gotten wet in the rain. Alphonse only saw and handful of Sicilian Muskets firing. The French however, by some sheer miracle, had mostly managed to keep their Powder dry, despite the trip over the stormy sea in the rain. Nevertheless, their fire was uncoordinated and aimed at single targets, rather then concentrated in a volley.
Through the smoke and rain, Alphonse couldn't tell if his own shot had hit anything. Not that it mattered, since the fight for the harbor soon descended into a chaotic melee as French and Sicilian Soldiers clashed in a cacophony of steel, Gunfire and screams.
Alphonse's world seemed to slow down as he saw a massive Sicilian with a bushy black beard charge at him out of the rain, snarling and his musket raised, the Bayonet pointed at his chest. Alphonse felt his blood run cold. This men was a giant compared to him, much stronger by the looks of it. Despair gripped his heart. Was his life really going to end so soon? Skewered on a Sicilian Bayonet and bleeding his life out in the streets, far away from home?
However, as the enemy Soldier drew closer, his Memory flashed back to the Words of his Drill-Sergeant. How, time and again, he had hammered lessons about Melee-Combat into their heads. He remembered how his father had put a hand on his shoulder and wished him luck before he had headed away from home. And he remembered how he head promised his little Sister, Johanna, that he would return home safe and sound.
All of a sudden, a strange rush in his body seemed to blow the fear away and his instincts took over. He twisted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the stabbing Bayonet.
The Sicilian's eyes widened in surprise before Alphonse slammed the butt of his Musket up against his chin. The Soldier stumbled backwards, completely out of balance...and before Alphonse really processed what happened, his Bayonet was buried deep in his Opponents stomach.
The massive Sicilian froze. His mouth opened in shock and surprise as his eyes wandered down to the French Bayonet embedded in his stomach. Alphonse, more out of instinct then any actual intent, twisted his Musket around and pulled the bayonet out, leaving the blood to flow freely and drench the other men's clothes.
The Sicilian looked into his eyes. "Merda...!", he whispered, before his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell over, hitting the ground with a low THUD!!
For a few seconds, Alphonse stared at the body of the man. And slowly, the realization dawned in his head.
He had just killed someone.
He had just killed for the first time.
Oh sweet Mary mother of God...!
"ALPHONSE!!!"
Something slammed into his back and toppled him over...just in time, since he heard a zipping sound above him as he hit the ground. Shortly after, a Musket cracked and he heard Philippe exclaim "GOT HIM!!"
"What the hell were you thinking, freezing up like that, you Moron?!", Jean cursed as he pulled Alphonse back to his feet. "That Pasta-Muncher almost shot you!"
Philippe, his smoking Musket still in hand, walked up next to them. "Well, he won't get a second chance." He looked down at the Corpse of the big Sicilian Soldier. "Holy shit, Alphonse, did you kill that giant Bastard? By yourself?" He pat his shoulder. "Well done! Didn't think you had it in you!"
Alphonse forced himself to smile weakly, not sure if he should feel elated at his Comrades praise or disgusted and horrified about what he had done.
"We can talk about this later!", Jean said, interrupting his thoughts. "Now, we have to go! The Sicilians are running and we have to pursue them!"
Surprised at that, Alphonse looked around. Indeed, the Defenders were running away from the Harbor, with the Army of the Orient following them in hot pursuit. The outcome of the fight was decisive: Alphonse could only spot a few Bodies on the Ground that wore a French Uniform. Most of them were Sicilians.
"Told you we'd be kicking the Fuckers asses!", Philippe laughed. "Not let's go, or there will be nothing left of the good loot for us!"
With that, he ran off, Jean and many others following him. Alphonse looked one last time at the corpse of the Sicilian Soldier...then he followed his Friends and Comrades, still unsure how to feel...
A.N.: Here's Part 2. Part 3, this time from the POV of the third man in this trio, Philippe, coming soon.
Alphonse slowly breathed in...and out. He tried his hardest to not show his fear as the boat drew closer and closer to the Harbor, through the withering Hail of Cannonfire.
Oh, how he wished now that he had listened to his dear Mother when she told him to not sign up for the Army...but he couldn't help himself back then. The brave Soldiers of his Country were fighting to defend the Republic and it's Ideals against the evil aristocratic Invaders. How could he not help to uphold the Torch of Freedom and Enlightenment? And so, he had gone to the nearest Recruiting-Office and signed up.
He should've stayed at home...should've helped his father to run and, one day, take over the School once his Studies were complete and he had become a Teacher himself.
But no, he just HAD to follow his naive idealism...and now he found himself in this cold, clammy weather, sailing inside a small boat over the stormy sea as Cannonballs ripped through the water.
He took a deep breath. He couldn't succumb to his fear now, no matter how much he wanted to piss his pants. If his Comrades didn't show their fears, then he couldn't either. They already made fun of him for his educated manner of talking and his cheap glasses. He didn't want to be labeled a coward too.
And besides...he didn't want to let them down either.
His eyes wandered over to Philippe and Jean. While they had teased him often, they had done their best to help him try and settle into Army-Life and he was grateful for that. Hell, in some way, he considered them his friends by now. And no matter how piss-scared he was, he would not leave them alone.
The boat rapidly approached the Pier now, as well as the others. Some of them, under the personal Leadership of General Auclair, had split off to take the Picket, but they would aid Dumas in taking the harbor.
Caporal Alexandre straightened himself. "Alright Lads, fix Bayonets! Give one shot at the first Pasta-Mucher you see and then stab the Fuckers! We have to take the Harbor no matter the cost! Stick together and do your part!"
The Soldiers nodded, let go of the Oars and grabbed their Weapons. Alphonse fumbled a bit, but managed to fix his Bayonet to the Barrel of his Musket. He tightly gripped the Rifle and closed his eyes.
God, he prayed quietly, give me the strength and courage I need and have Mercy on me so that I may survive this!
The boat, at last, reached the Pier.
"NOW, LADS! UP AND AT THEM!!", shouted Alexandre, as he stood up first. "VIVE LA FRANCE! VIVE LA REVOLUTION!!!"
With that, he jumped onto the Pier, Alphonse and the others following the Veteran as his Battlecry was taken up by many of their Comrades. The Soldiers of the Army of the Orient jumped out of their boats and rushed over the Pier, ready to take the Harbor of Palermo.
The Sicilian Soldiers scrambled to meet them, rushing out of the streets and charging at their foes. Completely surprised by the French attack, their Enemies had no time to take up formation. Even worse, their Powder had evidently gotten wet in the rain. Alphonse only saw and handful of Sicilian Muskets firing. The French however, by some sheer miracle, had mostly managed to keep their Powder dry, despite the trip over the stormy sea in the rain. Nevertheless, their fire was uncoordinated and aimed at single targets, rather then concentrated in a volley.
Through the smoke and rain, Alphonse couldn't tell if his own shot had hit anything. Not that it mattered, since the fight for the harbor soon descended into a chaotic melee as French and Sicilian Soldiers clashed in a cacophony of steel, Gunfire and screams.
Alphonse's world seemed to slow down as he saw a massive Sicilian with a bushy black beard charge at him out of the rain, snarling and his musket raised, the Bayonet pointed at his chest. Alphonse felt his blood run cold. This men was a giant compared to him, much stronger by the looks of it. Despair gripped his heart. Was his life really going to end so soon? Skewered on a Sicilian Bayonet and bleeding his life out in the streets, far away from home?
However, as the enemy Soldier drew closer, his Memory flashed back to the Words of his Drill-Sergeant. How, time and again, he had hammered lessons about Melee-Combat into their heads. He remembered how his father had put a hand on his shoulder and wished him luck before he had headed away from home. And he remembered how he head promised his little Sister, Johanna, that he would return home safe and sound.
All of a sudden, a strange rush in his body seemed to blow the fear away and his instincts took over. He twisted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the stabbing Bayonet.
The Sicilian's eyes widened in surprise before Alphonse slammed the butt of his Musket up against his chin. The Soldier stumbled backwards, completely out of balance...and before Alphonse really processed what happened, his Bayonet was buried deep in his Opponents stomach.
The massive Sicilian froze. His mouth opened in shock and surprise as his eyes wandered down to the French Bayonet embedded in his stomach. Alphonse, more out of instinct then any actual intent, twisted his Musket around and pulled the bayonet out, leaving the blood to flow freely and drench the other men's clothes.
The Sicilian looked into his eyes. "Merda...!", he whispered, before his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell over, hitting the ground with a low THUD!!
For a few seconds, Alphonse stared at the body of the man. And slowly, the realization dawned in his head.
He had just killed someone.
He had just killed for the first time.
Oh sweet Mary mother of God...!
"ALPHONSE!!!"
Something slammed into his back and toppled him over...just in time, since he heard a zipping sound above him as he hit the ground. Shortly after, a Musket cracked and he heard Philippe exclaim "GOT HIM!!"
"What the hell were you thinking, freezing up like that, you Moron?!", Jean cursed as he pulled Alphonse back to his feet. "That Pasta-Muncher almost shot you!"
Philippe, his smoking Musket still in hand, walked up next to them. "Well, he won't get a second chance." He looked down at the Corpse of the big Sicilian Soldier. "Holy shit, Alphonse, did you kill that giant Bastard? By yourself?" He pat his shoulder. "Well done! Didn't think you had it in you!"
Alphonse forced himself to smile weakly, not sure if he should feel elated at his Comrades praise or disgusted and horrified about what he had done.
"We can talk about this later!", Jean said, interrupting his thoughts. "Now, we have to go! The Sicilians are running and we have to pursue them!"
Surprised at that, Alphonse looked around. Indeed, the Defenders were running away from the Harbor, with the Army of the Orient following them in hot pursuit. The outcome of the fight was decisive: Alphonse could only spot a few Bodies on the Ground that wore a French Uniform. Most of them were Sicilians.
"Told you we'd be kicking the Fuckers asses!", Philippe laughed. "Not let's go, or there will be nothing left of the good loot for us!"
With that, he ran off, Jean and many others following him. Alphonse looked one last time at the corpse of the Sicilian Soldier...then he followed his Friends and Comrades, still unsure how to feel...
A.N.: Here's Part 2. Part 3, this time from the POV of the third man in this trio, Philippe, coming soon.
Last edited:
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Another +10 to you sir!
Invasion of Sicily Battle of Palermo (EzordCyborg45)
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They
@Magoose Omake Attempt.
Invasion of Sicily
Battle of Palermo and Messina
The invasion of Sicily by the Armée d'Orient, under the command of Générale de Division Thérèse Auclair, was the first step in a long campaign to invade Egypt and potentially even beyond the Middle East for the French Republic. The original plan, as devised by the Directory (the Government at the time), for the campaign was for the Armée d'Orient to cross the Mediterranean Sea and head directly for Egypt to begin the invasion.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
However, Thérèse Auclair decided to take a more segmented approach to invading Egypt. This manifested in her plan to first invade Sicily and Malta to first deny British fleets critical nail yards within Sardinia and Malta, to stop British navel power from freely harassing her supply lines when she invades Egypt and to cut off British trade from India through Egypt. If the plan was successful then it would effectively cut off British trade and naval superiority from the Mediterranean and pave the way for her invasion of Egypt, but before anything else Sicily has to be taken.
The route to be taken towards Sicily was via Sardinia, the reason why was not revealed to Thérèse other than transporting Minister Tallyrand and Robspierre to negotiate with the Sardinians about a ceasefire and naval basing rights. Meanwhile, whilst the invasion fleet was heading towards Sicily a diversionary campaign was carried out by Raider Captain Adam Serre in the Balearic Islands to help mask the fleet from British patrols and to disrupt the Royal Navy's operations within the Mediterranean.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Once the fleet left Sardinia for Sicily the invasion force was to be separated into two separate corridors of attack:
The first being lead by Thérèse Auclair leading First Corps, commanded by Général de Brigade Jean-Baptiste Kléber, and Third Corps, commanded by Général de Division Thomas-Alexandre Dumas to attack the Capital City of Sicily, Palermo. The force totalling around 46,000 men whilst the known Sicilian defenders numbered around 10,000 men and 15 ships docked in harbour.
The second being lead by the commander of Second Corps Général de Brigade Louis-Nicolas Davout leading the Republican Guard, commanded by Colonel Denis Martin Severin, the Calvary Reserve, commanded by Colonel Joachim-Napoléon Murat, and the Garrison Reserve, commanded by Colonel Antoine Marie Chamans, to attack the strategically important city of Messina, which if captured would cut off any reinforcement or support from mainland Naples. The force totalling around 53,000 men against a force of 32,000 Sicilian troops.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The fleet arrived at the Capital City of Sicily, Palermo on the 1st of May 1795, where due to acquiring accurate maps of both Sicily and Naples before the campaign began as well as in depth scouting and surveying by The Harbingers, the survey corps of the army, the layout and defences of the city were accurately recorded and used in planning the assault upon the city. The King of Sicily and Naples, King Ferdinand was present in the city along with his entire family, his court, and the government for both the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples.
The invasion of Palermo began on the rainy day of May 5th 1795 at 6:11 am troops from Dumas's Third Corps, personally lead by Thérèse and Dumas themselves, began the first wave of an amphibious assault upon the northern port of Palermo to set up chokepoints to help relieve the following waves and supply lines, they would then attack Palermo itself to seize the main coastal defences, whilst Kléber and First Corps was sent two miles southeast of Palermo to surround the southern side of the city and to cut off any enemy reinforcements that would come to Palermo's aid. Simultaneously, Adam Serre was commanded to capture every Sicilian ship currently docked in Palermo for later use in future campaigns.
The weather then took a turn for the worse and what has started out as a slight rain turned into a torrential storm. Whilst all three assaults were successful in completing their initial objectives, communications between Thérèse and Dumas and Kléber's First Corps was cut off due to the terrible weather. Kléber's First Corps had to face five thousand Sicilian defenders outside of the city with bayonets and five cannons as their powder was drenched from the terrible storm. King Ferdinand himself was fighting in defence on the north side of his city until he was shot through the leg by an unknown marksman and had to be dragged from the field.
Once the costal defences were seized Thérèse and Dumas began their assault upon the Northern side of the city and made quick progress in securing the outer edges and forcing the defenders to move towards the city centre and around the King's palace. Thérèse then ordered a general ceasefire and offered the Sicilians the option of surrender and promised to treat them with the dignity that a defeated army deserves. She had also ordered Serre to redirect the deployment of the 11th Brigade, lead by Captain Lucroy, to reestablish communication with Kléber's First Corps and assist them. During the fierce fighting between Kléber's First Corps and the Sicilian defenders in the South the 11th Brigade or the Iron Brigade as it was later called performed a heroic bayonet charge under heavy fire straight into the lines of the Sicilian infantry and broke them, but the Sicilian's managed an orderly retreat back towards the city. Captain Lucroy and the Iron Brigade was later praised for their bravery in breaking the Sicilian lines at a crucial juncture of the battle.
A couple of hours after the offer of surrender was sent by Thérèse Auclair the Sicilians inside of Palermo officially surrendered on the 7th of May 1795.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Meanwhile a day before the surrender of Palermo, the Sicilian army based in Messina decided to face Davout on the field possibly believing that Davout's army was still disembarking from their ships. In truth this was a deception orchestrated by Davout to lure the defending Sicilians into a decisive battle. Davout's army had already completely disembarked and had set up upon the high ground where it would provide Davout's artillery a superb position to turn the open fields below into a killing field.
Whilst the Sicilians approached Davout's battle lines he purposely weaken Chamans right flank in order to lure the Sicilians into focusing their attack onto the right flank. During this time Severin's Republican Guard would be moving into position beside Chamans flank to hold the line and then counter attack. However, the Sicilians attack stalled and were ordered to retreat, so when Severin arrived on the scene he had to order a frontal charge in order to keep the Sicilians pinned in place for Murat's calvary attack on the flanks.
However, whether due to incompetence or the Sicilians thinking that Chamans' and Severin's forces were the main force of the army and started firing their cannons at the ensuing melee causing heavy casualties amongst their own forces. Davout seeing the chance for Murat's calvary to attack sent an order to Murat to begin his attack. Instead Murat delayed his attack for a couple of minutes in order to ensure the most devastating impact, which proved to be true as Murat's calvary charge not only broke the Sicilian lines and turned what would have been a route into a slaughter. Not a single soldier of the Sicilian army sent to stop Davout's advance survived. Chamans and his men possibly fuelled with the taste of victory started to butcher the outer inhabitants of Messina after the Sicilian army was defeated and laid to waste.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The terms for surrender imposed upon King Ferdinand were comparatively light when compared to other members of the First Coalition. King Ferdinand would be able to keep his throne in Naples, but would have transfer control and ownership of Sicily to the French Republic with the government also transitioning towards a republic. King Ferdinand would have to pay Light War Reparations, the City of Syracuse will become a permanent Navy base under French control and administration and the island of Sicily will be garrisoned by troops of the French Army in order to Secure French interests on the Island.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
This is my take on a Historical Retelling of the Invasion of Sicily. I have tried to keep all the information in this Omake as accurate as I can to the information given to us within the Quest.
God damn this took a long time. Nearly SIX HOURS of writing and checking threads and vote results just to make sure I had all the correct information.
Not bad for my first time writing one of these.
Invasion of Sicily
Battle of Palermo and Messina
The invasion of Sicily by the Armée d'Orient, under the command of Générale de Division Thérèse Auclair, was the first step in a long campaign to invade Egypt and potentially even beyond the Middle East for the French Republic. The original plan, as devised by the Directory (the Government at the time), for the campaign was for the Armée d'Orient to cross the Mediterranean Sea and head directly for Egypt to begin the invasion.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
However, Thérèse Auclair decided to take a more segmented approach to invading Egypt. This manifested in her plan to first invade Sicily and Malta to first deny British fleets critical nail yards within Sardinia and Malta, to stop British navel power from freely harassing her supply lines when she invades Egypt and to cut off British trade from India through Egypt. If the plan was successful then it would effectively cut off British trade and naval superiority from the Mediterranean and pave the way for her invasion of Egypt, but before anything else Sicily has to be taken.
The route to be taken towards Sicily was via Sardinia, the reason why was not revealed to Thérèse other than transporting Minister Tallyrand and Robspierre to negotiate with the Sardinians about a ceasefire and naval basing rights. Meanwhile, whilst the invasion fleet was heading towards Sicily a diversionary campaign was carried out by Raider Captain Adam Serre in the Balearic Islands to help mask the fleet from British patrols and to disrupt the Royal Navy's operations within the Mediterranean.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Once the fleet left Sardinia for Sicily the invasion force was to be separated into two separate corridors of attack:
The first being lead by Thérèse Auclair leading First Corps, commanded by Général de Brigade Jean-Baptiste Kléber, and Third Corps, commanded by Général de Division Thomas-Alexandre Dumas to attack the Capital City of Sicily, Palermo. The force totalling around 46,000 men whilst the known Sicilian defenders numbered around 10,000 men and 15 ships docked in harbour.
The second being lead by the commander of Second Corps Général de Brigade Louis-Nicolas Davout leading the Republican Guard, commanded by Colonel Denis Martin Severin, the Calvary Reserve, commanded by Colonel Joachim-Napoléon Murat, and the Garrison Reserve, commanded by Colonel Antoine Marie Chamans, to attack the strategically important city of Messina, which if captured would cut off any reinforcement or support from mainland Naples. The force totalling around 53,000 men against a force of 32,000 Sicilian troops.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The fleet arrived at the Capital City of Sicily, Palermo on the 1st of May 1795, where due to acquiring accurate maps of both Sicily and Naples before the campaign began as well as in depth scouting and surveying by The Harbingers, the survey corps of the army, the layout and defences of the city were accurately recorded and used in planning the assault upon the city. The King of Sicily and Naples, King Ferdinand was present in the city along with his entire family, his court, and the government for both the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples.
The invasion of Palermo began on the rainy day of May 5th 1795 at 6:11 am troops from Dumas's Third Corps, personally lead by Thérèse and Dumas themselves, began the first wave of an amphibious assault upon the northern port of Palermo to set up chokepoints to help relieve the following waves and supply lines, they would then attack Palermo itself to seize the main coastal defences, whilst Kléber and First Corps was sent two miles southeast of Palermo to surround the southern side of the city and to cut off any enemy reinforcements that would come to Palermo's aid. Simultaneously, Adam Serre was commanded to capture every Sicilian ship currently docked in Palermo for later use in future campaigns.
The weather then took a turn for the worse and what has started out as a slight rain turned into a torrential storm. Whilst all three assaults were successful in completing their initial objectives, communications between Thérèse and Dumas and Kléber's First Corps was cut off due to the terrible weather. Kléber's First Corps had to face five thousand Sicilian defenders outside of the city with bayonets and five cannons as their powder was drenched from the terrible storm. King Ferdinand himself was fighting in defence on the north side of his city until he was shot through the leg by an unknown marksman and had to be dragged from the field.
Once the costal defences were seized Thérèse and Dumas began their assault upon the Northern side of the city and made quick progress in securing the outer edges and forcing the defenders to move towards the city centre and around the King's palace. Thérèse then ordered a general ceasefire and offered the Sicilians the option of surrender and promised to treat them with the dignity that a defeated army deserves. She had also ordered Serre to redirect the deployment of the 11th Brigade, lead by Captain Lucroy, to reestablish communication with Kléber's First Corps and assist them. During the fierce fighting between Kléber's First Corps and the Sicilian defenders in the South the 11th Brigade or the Iron Brigade as it was later called performed a heroic bayonet charge under heavy fire straight into the lines of the Sicilian infantry and broke them, but the Sicilian's managed an orderly retreat back towards the city. Captain Lucroy and the Iron Brigade was later praised for their bravery in breaking the Sicilian lines at a crucial juncture of the battle.
A couple of hours after the offer of surrender was sent by Thérèse Auclair the Sicilians inside of Palermo officially surrendered on the 7th of May 1795.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Meanwhile a day before the surrender of Palermo, the Sicilian army based in Messina decided to face Davout on the field possibly believing that Davout's army was still disembarking from their ships. In truth this was a deception orchestrated by Davout to lure the defending Sicilians into a decisive battle. Davout's army had already completely disembarked and had set up upon the high ground where it would provide Davout's artillery a superb position to turn the open fields below into a killing field.
Whilst the Sicilians approached Davout's battle lines he purposely weaken Chamans right flank in order to lure the Sicilians into focusing their attack onto the right flank. During this time Severin's Republican Guard would be moving into position beside Chamans flank to hold the line and then counter attack. However, the Sicilians attack stalled and were ordered to retreat, so when Severin arrived on the scene he had to order a frontal charge in order to keep the Sicilians pinned in place for Murat's calvary attack on the flanks.
However, whether due to incompetence or the Sicilians thinking that Chamans' and Severin's forces were the main force of the army and started firing their cannons at the ensuing melee causing heavy casualties amongst their own forces. Davout seeing the chance for Murat's calvary to attack sent an order to Murat to begin his attack. Instead Murat delayed his attack for a couple of minutes in order to ensure the most devastating impact, which proved to be true as Murat's calvary charge not only broke the Sicilian lines and turned what would have been a route into a slaughter. Not a single soldier of the Sicilian army sent to stop Davout's advance survived. Chamans and his men possibly fuelled with the taste of victory started to butcher the outer inhabitants of Messina after the Sicilian army was defeated and laid to waste.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The terms for surrender imposed upon King Ferdinand were comparatively light when compared to other members of the First Coalition. King Ferdinand would be able to keep his throne in Naples, but would have transfer control and ownership of Sicily to the French Republic with the government also transitioning towards a republic. King Ferdinand would have to pay Light War Reparations, the City of Syracuse will become a permanent Navy base under French control and administration and the island of Sicily will be garrisoned by troops of the French Army in order to Secure French interests on the Island.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
This is my take on a Historical Retelling of the Invasion of Sicily. I have tried to keep all the information in this Omake as accurate as I can to the information given to us within the Quest.
God damn this took a long time. Nearly SIX HOURS of writing and checking threads and vote results just to make sure I had all the correct information.
Not bad for my first time writing one of these.
Last edited:
Assaut Amphibie, Part 3 (Alexander Sturnn)
Assaut Amphibie, Part 3
The City had nearly fallen.
From the Harbor and the Walls alike, the Sicilian Soldiers were streaming back towards the Center of the City and the Royal Palace.
And with the City fallen, many French Soldiers began to do what all Armies did after such a Victory: Looting.
Rifles smashed in Windows and Feet kicked in Doors as Soldiers entered Houses, Shops and Bars, trying to find valuable Items, be it Money, Gold or otherwise. Some just ignored the Inhabitants of these Buildings, merely grabbing whatever looked valuable and then leaving again. Others forced the People at Bayonet- or Gunpoint to hand over their Money and other possessions. Some weren't even after Money, just alcohol. And sometimes...
There were deaths among the Civilians on that day...and worse.
Philippe, however, was only interested in Plunder right now.
He and his Comrades had already entered a few houses and taken valuables, mostly coins and other stuff that looked like it would sell well. They hadn't encountered any Civilians yet. Either they were hiding when they came or just not at home.
It was fine by him, really. He had no interest in taking their lives, only their riches.
He was grateful to have Alphonse with him. While the new Recruit was reluctant in taking anything - his family was relatively well off and thus he didn't feel the need to plunder - he helpfully pointed his comrades to actually valuable Items, instead of taking stuff that looked shiny, but was in reality nearly worthless. They would have to stop soon, though, or they risked getting caught in the act.
Still, they had room for some more yet. And wouldn't you know it, Jean soon spotted a big, fancy house that looked like it belonged to someone pretty well off.
"How about we look into that one before we stop?", Jean asked.
Philippe grinned. "Fine by me! Let's go!"
The three Soldiers marched through the door, which was not locked. However, inside they saw that the room they entered was already in chaos. Furniture had been thrown over and drawers searched. A family of three, a little boy and and older man and woman, obviously his parents, were huddled into a Corner, looking fearfully at the soldiers.
Jean cursed. "Fuck, someone was already here!"
Philippe shook his head in disappointment. "Well, let's look around anyway. Maybe they overlooked something-"
All of a sudden, the little boy's face twisted into anger, despite the tears running down his face. Before his parents could stop them, he took a step forward an screamed at the Soldiers in Italian.
Philippe raised an eyebrow. "The hell's up here? Why is the little shit so angry?"
"He says he wants us to go away, back to where we came from", Alphonse said suddenly.
Philippe and Jean looked in surprise at their friend.
"You can understand him?!", Jean asked.
"W-well, I speak a bit Italian", Alphonse admitted shyly while adjusting his Glasses. "I learned some of it while studying and-"
"Right, right, your Education and all that", Philippe said impatiently. "What else did the little Pasta say?"
"He said..." Alphonse hesitated. "He...he said we should 'give his big Sister back'."
"His...Big Sister?", Philippe asked before his eyes widened. "Wait...don't tell me-"
A woman's scream interrupted him. The three Soldiers whirled around to the stairs that led to the next floor of the building. The Scream had come from there.
Philippe felt red hot fury rush through his veins. Before anyone else could react, he was already storming up the stairs, taking two steps at once. Jean and Alphonse soon followed him.
Upstairs, Philippe grabbed his Musket, which he had wisely reloaded, and rushed towards a door, from behind which another scream could be heard. He kicked the door open and ran into the bedroom behind it. A young woman with black hair was writhing on the bed, screaming in fear as two French Soldiers held her down, trying to rip her clothes off of her body while fumbling with their own trousers.
One of the Soldiers looked up as he heard Philippe and his friends enter the room. "Hey! We were here first!", he snarled. "Go find your own Italian Bitch to fu-"
The roar of Philippe's Musket interrupted him. As if hit by an invisible fist, he tumbled off of the bed, blood seeping from the bullet wound in his skull. Before his Companion could do anything else but look on in shock and fear, a Bayonet was buried in his throat. He too tumbled off the bed, writhing on the floor in agony as Philippe stabbed his Bayonet into his chest four more times until he finally lay still, his eyes wide open and lifeless.
Breathing heavily, Phillipe pulled his Bayonet free and spat upon the Corpse. "Batards...!!", he hissed with fury blazing in his eyes.
Alphonse stared at him in utter shock. "Holy Shit...!", he whispered.
Jean said nothing. He knew all to feel why his childhood friend had reacted like this.
Philippe closed his eyes, trying to fight down the Memories...the muffled screams of his Mother as a drunken Customer at his Family's Inn ambushed her in the backyard, trying to rape her...how he stabbed the man in the hand with a knife, only to nearly be killed by him...how his dad saved his life in the last second, slashing the Bastards throat...
He was not the best Person. He had no problems killing People in a fight or looting homes and houses afterwards.
But there were some Lines he would never cross...and that he would not tolerate being crossed in his presence.
He shook his head, fighting off the Memories. Slowly, he turned around to the girl, who had fearfully backed away from the three Soldiers, her back pressed against the wall and he eyes darting from the Corpses to them.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Philippe raised his hands. "H-hey...we're not gonna hurt you..."
The young Woman shook her head, fear still in her eyes.
"I don't think she speaks our Language", said Jean ever so helpfully.
"W-wait...let me try it", said Alphonse. "He took a step forward, cleared his throat and, though hesitantly, began to speak in Italian to the Woman. "Non avere paura. Non ti faremo del male."
His Words seemed to calm the Woman down a bit as she took a few deep breaths. Her body stopped shivering as much as she looked around the room once more, before her eyes settled on Phillippe. "M-mi hai...mi hai salvato...!", she whispered, disbelief written on her face.
"She said 'You saved me!'", Alphonse translated.
Philippe looked at the young woman, meeting her green eyes. "...Yeah, I...I guess I did...", he said. Then he shook his head. "Let's...let's just bring her back down to her Family, alright?"
"Maria! Sei sicuro!", the Father exclaimed tearfully as he hugged his daughter, who cried tears of relief into his shoulder as her Mother and her little brother joined the hug.
The three French Soldiers awkwardly stood a few steps aside, feeling rather out of place in this heartwarming Scene.
After a few Minutes, the daughter began to rapidly talk to her Parents in Italian.
"She's telling them that we rescued her from those two Bastards", Alphonse translated. "W-well...mostly you, Philippe."
The Father looked at his daughter in astonishment. "Il francese? Ti hanno salvato?"
"Si!", Maria nodded. "Lo ha fatto soprattutto!" She pointed at Philippe as she said that.
The Family looked at him, both surprised and grateful. The Mother fell on her knees before them. "Grazie...grazie...!", she whispered.
Philippe felt his cheeks burn slightly as he looked away. "It's...it's no problem...it was the right thing to do...", he mumbled.
He looked around the room as Alphonse translated. To be honest...there was probably nothing of value here left. And they had to stop sometime before being caught.
It was definitely not because he felt like that Girl, Maria, and her family had been through enough already. Of course not.
He nodded to Jean. "Let's go, before we get caught."
However, just before leaving the building, Maria's Voice held them back. "Aspettare!" Looking back, Philippe found himself meeting her eyes. "C-come...come ti chiami?", she asked hesitantly.
"She wants to know your Name", whispered Alphonse to him.
Philippe looked into her eyes for what felt like a whole Minute. "...Philippe", he finally said, pointing at himself. "Just....Philippe."
With that, he and his friends crossed the threshold, leaving the House and walking back onto the Streets of Palermo.
A.N: Third and final Installment, done! I may write more with these three some other time. We'll see.
The City had nearly fallen.
From the Harbor and the Walls alike, the Sicilian Soldiers were streaming back towards the Center of the City and the Royal Palace.
And with the City fallen, many French Soldiers began to do what all Armies did after such a Victory: Looting.
Rifles smashed in Windows and Feet kicked in Doors as Soldiers entered Houses, Shops and Bars, trying to find valuable Items, be it Money, Gold or otherwise. Some just ignored the Inhabitants of these Buildings, merely grabbing whatever looked valuable and then leaving again. Others forced the People at Bayonet- or Gunpoint to hand over their Money and other possessions. Some weren't even after Money, just alcohol. And sometimes...
There were deaths among the Civilians on that day...and worse.
Philippe, however, was only interested in Plunder right now.
He and his Comrades had already entered a few houses and taken valuables, mostly coins and other stuff that looked like it would sell well. They hadn't encountered any Civilians yet. Either they were hiding when they came or just not at home.
It was fine by him, really. He had no interest in taking their lives, only their riches.
He was grateful to have Alphonse with him. While the new Recruit was reluctant in taking anything - his family was relatively well off and thus he didn't feel the need to plunder - he helpfully pointed his comrades to actually valuable Items, instead of taking stuff that looked shiny, but was in reality nearly worthless. They would have to stop soon, though, or they risked getting caught in the act.
Still, they had room for some more yet. And wouldn't you know it, Jean soon spotted a big, fancy house that looked like it belonged to someone pretty well off.
"How about we look into that one before we stop?", Jean asked.
Philippe grinned. "Fine by me! Let's go!"
The three Soldiers marched through the door, which was not locked. However, inside they saw that the room they entered was already in chaos. Furniture had been thrown over and drawers searched. A family of three, a little boy and and older man and woman, obviously his parents, were huddled into a Corner, looking fearfully at the soldiers.
Jean cursed. "Fuck, someone was already here!"
Philippe shook his head in disappointment. "Well, let's look around anyway. Maybe they overlooked something-"
All of a sudden, the little boy's face twisted into anger, despite the tears running down his face. Before his parents could stop them, he took a step forward an screamed at the Soldiers in Italian.
Philippe raised an eyebrow. "The hell's up here? Why is the little shit so angry?"
"He says he wants us to go away, back to where we came from", Alphonse said suddenly.
Philippe and Jean looked in surprise at their friend.
"You can understand him?!", Jean asked.
"W-well, I speak a bit Italian", Alphonse admitted shyly while adjusting his Glasses. "I learned some of it while studying and-"
"Right, right, your Education and all that", Philippe said impatiently. "What else did the little Pasta say?"
"He said..." Alphonse hesitated. "He...he said we should 'give his big Sister back'."
"His...Big Sister?", Philippe asked before his eyes widened. "Wait...don't tell me-"
A woman's scream interrupted him. The three Soldiers whirled around to the stairs that led to the next floor of the building. The Scream had come from there.
Philippe felt red hot fury rush through his veins. Before anyone else could react, he was already storming up the stairs, taking two steps at once. Jean and Alphonse soon followed him.
Upstairs, Philippe grabbed his Musket, which he had wisely reloaded, and rushed towards a door, from behind which another scream could be heard. He kicked the door open and ran into the bedroom behind it. A young woman with black hair was writhing on the bed, screaming in fear as two French Soldiers held her down, trying to rip her clothes off of her body while fumbling with their own trousers.
One of the Soldiers looked up as he heard Philippe and his friends enter the room. "Hey! We were here first!", he snarled. "Go find your own Italian Bitch to fu-"
The roar of Philippe's Musket interrupted him. As if hit by an invisible fist, he tumbled off of the bed, blood seeping from the bullet wound in his skull. Before his Companion could do anything else but look on in shock and fear, a Bayonet was buried in his throat. He too tumbled off the bed, writhing on the floor in agony as Philippe stabbed his Bayonet into his chest four more times until he finally lay still, his eyes wide open and lifeless.
Breathing heavily, Phillipe pulled his Bayonet free and spat upon the Corpse. "Batards...!!", he hissed with fury blazing in his eyes.
Alphonse stared at him in utter shock. "Holy Shit...!", he whispered.
Jean said nothing. He knew all to feel why his childhood friend had reacted like this.
Philippe closed his eyes, trying to fight down the Memories...the muffled screams of his Mother as a drunken Customer at his Family's Inn ambushed her in the backyard, trying to rape her...how he stabbed the man in the hand with a knife, only to nearly be killed by him...how his dad saved his life in the last second, slashing the Bastards throat...
He was not the best Person. He had no problems killing People in a fight or looting homes and houses afterwards.
But there were some Lines he would never cross...and that he would not tolerate being crossed in his presence.
He shook his head, fighting off the Memories. Slowly, he turned around to the girl, who had fearfully backed away from the three Soldiers, her back pressed against the wall and he eyes darting from the Corpses to them.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Philippe raised his hands. "H-hey...we're not gonna hurt you..."
The young Woman shook her head, fear still in her eyes.
"I don't think she speaks our Language", said Jean ever so helpfully.
"W-wait...let me try it", said Alphonse. "He took a step forward, cleared his throat and, though hesitantly, began to speak in Italian to the Woman. "Non avere paura. Non ti faremo del male."
His Words seemed to calm the Woman down a bit as she took a few deep breaths. Her body stopped shivering as much as she looked around the room once more, before her eyes settled on Phillippe. "M-mi hai...mi hai salvato...!", she whispered, disbelief written on her face.
"She said 'You saved me!'", Alphonse translated.
Philippe looked at the young woman, meeting her green eyes. "...Yeah, I...I guess I did...", he said. Then he shook his head. "Let's...let's just bring her back down to her Family, alright?"
***
"Maria! Sei sicuro!", the Father exclaimed tearfully as he hugged his daughter, who cried tears of relief into his shoulder as her Mother and her little brother joined the hug.
The three French Soldiers awkwardly stood a few steps aside, feeling rather out of place in this heartwarming Scene.
After a few Minutes, the daughter began to rapidly talk to her Parents in Italian.
"She's telling them that we rescued her from those two Bastards", Alphonse translated. "W-well...mostly you, Philippe."
The Father looked at his daughter in astonishment. "Il francese? Ti hanno salvato?"
"Si!", Maria nodded. "Lo ha fatto soprattutto!" She pointed at Philippe as she said that.
The Family looked at him, both surprised and grateful. The Mother fell on her knees before them. "Grazie...grazie...!", she whispered.
Philippe felt his cheeks burn slightly as he looked away. "It's...it's no problem...it was the right thing to do...", he mumbled.
He looked around the room as Alphonse translated. To be honest...there was probably nothing of value here left. And they had to stop sometime before being caught.
It was definitely not because he felt like that Girl, Maria, and her family had been through enough already. Of course not.
He nodded to Jean. "Let's go, before we get caught."
However, just before leaving the building, Maria's Voice held them back. "Aspettare!" Looking back, Philippe found himself meeting her eyes. "C-come...come ti chiami?", she asked hesitantly.
"She wants to know your Name", whispered Alphonse to him.
Philippe looked into her eyes for what felt like a whole Minute. "...Philippe", he finally said, pointing at himself. "Just....Philippe."
With that, he and his friends crossed the threshold, leaving the House and walking back onto the Streets of Palermo.
A.N: Third and final Installment, done! I may write more with these three some other time. We'll see.
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